School Newsletter
Number 7
Scroll through for all important Term 3 dates. Events can also be viewed and added to your personal calendar via the Events tab in the Audiri app. Please contact Reception if you need assistance.
Important Dates
From our Principal
Future of AI in Education
This term began with our teaching, leadership, administration and support staff joining together with the Southern Montessori Community for a shared professional learning day with presenter Louka Parry on Learning in the Age of AI: Potential and Pitfalls for Minds, Schools and Communities.
Together, we explored the growing role of artificial intelligence in education through a thought-provoking presentation by Louka Parry. Rather than offering simple answers, the session challenged us to grapple with the complexity of AI - considering both its possibilities and its risks. It encouraged us to reflect on what it truly means to prepare young people for a future.
A key idea explored was the importance of productive struggle in learning. While technology and AI can make many tasks easier, we reflected on the value of allowing children to work through challenges, build resilience, and experience the satisfaction of mastering new skills. This aligns strongly with the Montessori belief that meaningful learning often happens through effort, persistence, and discovery.
The day also explored how AI can be used to support learning by reducing unnecessary cognitive load, allowing students to focus on deeper thinking and understanding. Staff reflected on the importance of using these tools thoughtfully to enrich learning while ensuring they continue to develop the knowledge, skills, and resilience that underpin lifelong learning.
Staff commented on the thought-provoking nature of the session and how much, for many, they extended their understanding of AI. Our team was also very grateful for the chance to learn together with both The Hills Montessori and Southern Montessori School communities. Leaving more certain than ever that our task is not to resist change, but to meet it with clarity, curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to following the child.
Susan Harris-Evans
Acting Principal
A Little Update from Ellen
I wanted to let our OSHC families know that I will be taking some personal leave from the 12th August and expect to be away for up to six weeks.
While I'm away, Nellie will be stepping into the role of Acting OSHC Coordinator. Many of you already know Nellie, and I know she will do a fantastic job supporting the children, families and our wonderful OSHC team during this time. I have absolutely loved getting to know all of our children and families over the past few months, and I’ll miss seeing everyone while I’m away. Thank you for your kindness, patience and ongoing support - it truly means so much. I look forward to returning and seeing you all again soon!
OSHC Coordinator
Staffing News
Attila Nandori has reduced his teaching hours by one day for the next Semester. We are thrilled that Andrew Banks, one of our regular relief teachers, and ably supported by Suzie Saffin, will offer fitness to our Yultiwirra classes on Tuesdays. We wish Attila well as he spends increased time with his young family.
We are pleased to welcome Jonathan Healy to the role of part-time Receptionist, replacing Lauren Hinton. Alongside his IT role, Jonathan brings valuable administration experience and will be working in Reception every Tuesday and every second Monday.
Yultiwirra
Roundtable Interviews
As part of our reporting process, three-way parent, teacher and student Roundtable Interviews will be held at Wairoa during Week 4 (next week).
An email has been sent to families with information about the Roundtable Interviews, along with step-by-step instructions for making an online booking. These meetings provide an opportunity to discuss each student's achievements and areas for further growth.
Wairoa Term 2 reports were shared with families during the school holidays.
Wairoa
Community Lottery
Fundraising Opportunity
Support our school while giving yourself the chance to win! We're once again taking part in the People First Community Lottery, with 100% of every $2 ticket sold going directly to our school. Our goal is to raise $1,500 to support improvements at both Yultiwirra and Wairoa.
There are 41 prizes to be won, with a total prize pool of more than $300,000.
Work your Creative Magic!
Volunteer Opportunity
Get ready to celebrate Book Week - Monday 24 August! Students are invited to come dressed as their favourite book character, or wear their pyjamas and bring along their favourite book. This year's theme is 'Symphony of Stories'.
Creative Volunteers Wanted! - Help bring Book Week to life by assisting with our much-loved school installations. If you'd like to lend a hand, please contact Lisa Goodwin at lisag@montessori.sa.edu.au or email reception@montessori.sa.edu.au.
NAPLAN Results
Parents are asked to contact their child's class teacher or Wairoa advisor to arrange a time to collect their child's NAPLAN report and discuss the results alongside other school records.
Please note there is a slight difference in this year's writing report. Due to a nationwide technical issue on the first day of NAPLAN testing, the school writing mean for Years 5, 7 and 9 has not been included in the Individual Student Report (ISR) because of the variability in testing experiences caused by the platform outage. All other school means are reported.
Years 3, 5, 7 & 9
Whole School Community Event
Save the Date
Yultiwirra
Sharing Assembly Preschool, Cycle 1 & Cycle 3
Please join us down in the hall!
Tuesday 11th August
9:30am
Conversations
Conversations
Conversations Conversations
Conversation Sparks Creativity
"The secret of good teaching is to regard the child's intelligence as a fertile field in which seeds may be sown, to grow under the heat of flaming imagination." — Maria Montessori
A creative idea is much like a seed. It needs the right conditions to grow: curiosity, trust, thoughtful challenge and the opportunity to be shared with others.
Throughout the development of Coffeehouse Cabaret, students experienced this process firsthand. They learned that bringing an idea to life requires more than imagination. It requires the confidence to communicate, the humility to receive feedback and the willingness to allow an idea to evolve through collaboration.
This is one of the strengths of Montessori project work. Students are not simply encouraged to think creatively, they learn how to develop ideas with others. Through conversation, imagination becomes richer, perspectives broaden and individual thinking grows into something shared. Coffeehouse Cabaret was a celebration not only of creativity, but of the collaborative process that makes meaningful creativity possible.
Cycle News
Infant Program
Drosera Classroom • Ages 0-3
Welcome back to Term 3!
It has been so lovely to see everyone again after the break, and we have also welcomed lots of new families to our community. We got straight back into the swing of things with plenty of outdoor play, even in the freezing weather! Our children have been enjoying water play and splashing in the puddles left by the rain.
We have also been busy with winter-themed craft and painting. Our children decorated beanie cut-outs using glue and a variety of textiles, added raindrops to a rain cloud collage, and explored winter colours in their paintings, with just a hint of spring beginning to appear.
Infant Program
Cycle 1 Preschool
Banksia & Goodenia Community • Ages 3-5
We would like to welcome our new children Aadi, August, Sol, Heidi, Remy, Ollie, Margot and Maeve. We look forward to getting to know them and their families over the term.
Over the past few weeks, our children have been learning about colours, particularly primary and secondary colours. To complement this work, we introduced Dutch artist Piet Mondrian, exploring his use of primary colours, shapes, lines and the term abstract. Our children then created their own artworks inspired by his techniques.
They have also enjoyed experimenting with coloured water, discovering how primary colours combine to create secondary colours, as well as brown and black. By adding more or less coloured water, they created different shades and described them with wonderful observations such as, “That green one is swampy”, “That one is chocolatey” and “I made this to be the same colour as an orange.”
As part of our Simple Machines topic, our children explored pulleys and inclined planes. They discovered how pulleys make lifting heavy objects easier, with Bertie observing, “An elevator is a pulley, isn’t it?” and Halley adding, “If something is heavy you could use a pulley to lift it up.”
To complement this work, our children have also been exploring different modes of transport, including construction vehicles and those that travel on land, water and air. Using three-part cards, they have been classifying, sorting and learning the names of each.
Cycle 1 Preschool
Cycle 1 Primary
Correa & Ixodia Classrooms • Ages 5-6
We have had a wonderful start to Term 3, warmly welcoming Harley, Eleanor, Remi, River and Noah to the Cycle 1 community. It has been lovely to see new friendships forming as everyone settles in. Our children have returned with excitement for learning, and we look forward to another engaging and rewarding term together.
Cycle 1 Primary
“I was excited to come back to Cycle 1 to see what new activities there are.”
— Bryn
“I missed my teachers in the holidays. I love my class.”
— Sage
“I like doing the Golden Beads again and I love the sewing activity.”
— Hugo
“I wasn't sure about starting Cycle 1 now I like it and I love Lunch club.”
— Remi
“I love the new Farm setup.”
— Theo
“I like learning all the letter sounds.”
— Noah
“I was thinking of feeding Strawberry when I was in Vacation Care. I am happy to see her again.”
— Clem
Cycle 2 Primary
Dianella & Acacia Classrooms • Ages 6-9
This term, our Cycle 2 class has hit the ground running with a continent study of Africa, and our children have been full of questions and wonder. Over the past few weeks, they have been building an understanding of Africa's diverse landscapes, climates and cultures.
We began by locating Africa on the world map before playing a round of "Africa Bingo", helping students discover everyday cultural connections they hadn't realised were there. We also explored maps to gain a sense of Africa's immense size.
Students then investigated Africa's biomes in small groups, exploring the Sahara Desert, Okavango Delta, Congo Basin rainforest, Serengeti Savannah, Mount Kilimanjaro and Namib Desert. Using Google Earth, they explored each biome and discovered how climate and landscape shape the lives of the plants, animals and people who live there.
Alongside this, students have been exploring colour theory by mixing primary colours, creating a colour wheel and practising brush techniques. Inspired by Ghanaian artist Atta Kwami and the vibrant patterns of Ghanaian kente cloth, they have experimented with repeating shapes and colour blocking to create their own artworks.
Cycle 2 Primary
“Grasslands cover most of Africa.”
— Harvey
“Bananas, coffee and chocolate come from Africa.”
— Elsie S
“In the Sahara Desert, sometimes sandstorms can be seen from space.”
— Anya
“The word 'zombie' comes from an African word.”
— Jasper
“There are lots of different animals in Africa like cheetahs and zebras.”
— Hadley
Cycle 3 Primary
Callistemon & Grevillea Classrooms • Ages 9-12
Nurturing Values
In Cycle 3, values education is woven into the fabric of everyday learning and community life. We recognise that education is not only about developing academic skills, but also about nurturing compassionate, responsible and thoughtful individuals who understand their place within a wider community.
Through regular discussions and classroom experiences, students explore values such as respect, kindness, responsibility, cooperation, unity and perseverance, considering how their choices impact others and how they can contribute positively to their environment.
These values are lived through authentic experiences. Collaborative learning, leadership opportunities and service projects allow students to put these qualities into practice. Our school service program has seen action teams plan activities for younger students and undertake projects to improve our school environment, including sports clinics, lunchtime activities, repainting outdoor furniture, building possum dens, establishing a Cycle 3 produce garden and reviewing our waste management systems.
We thank the adults in our community who generously volunteer their time to mentor and supervise these action teams.
Students also look forward to Community Service, supporting organisations that care for the environment, animals and people. We value our strong partnerships with groups including the Hut Community Centre, XLent Disability Services, Monarto Zoo, Broughton House and Stangate House.
Through these experiences, students reflect on their own growth, recognise the strengths of others and develop an understanding of their responsibilities within both our school community and the wider world, becoming capable, compassionate and socially conscious young people.
Cycle 3 Primary
Cycle 4 Middle School
Wairoa Campus • Ages 12-15
What's Cooking (and Building, and Burning) at Wairoa
This term, our Cycle 4 students at Wairoa are diving into three new Occupations, each blending hands-on learning with real-world thinking.
In Heating and Burning, students will explore how fire is created and used across different cultures, while working outdoors to plant fuel trees and improve our fire pit.
In Sustainable Architecture, students will investigate passive design, scale, aesthetics and architectural styles before designing and building a 1:50 scale model house suited to our environment.
In Creating a Recipe Book, students will transform recipes contributed by last year's Language class into a published cookbook. Through editing, layout design, recipe testing and collaboration, they will create something both practical and beautiful.
We can't wait to see what our Wairoa students create, build and cook up this term!
Cycle 4 Middle School
Specialist Teachers
PE with Attila
This term, students are developing skills for table tennis. Table tennis is a fast-paced, fun sport that can be played in many settings, from the backyard to the local club, and is a great way to build hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes. We have learned how to hold the racket, the different types of shots, and how to serve correctly, and have played many games against our peers, encouraging good sportsmanship and healthy competition along the way.
Cycle 4 students are also mastering their table tennis skills and playing soccer off the back of the World Cup. With the excitement of the World Cup still fresh, students have been keen to practise their passing, dribbling, and shooting, while also developing their understanding of teamwork and game strategy on the field.
OSHC
Vacation Care
We enjoyed a wonderful three weeks of Vacation Care, filled with creativity, collaboration and plenty of fun!
While the wet winter weather meant a few changes to our planned outdoor experiences, our children embraced every opportunity to learn, create and explore together. They enjoyed a variety of hands-on activities, including cooking and baking, science experiments, clay and watercolour art, construction challenges, cultural experiences, mindfulness, music and movement, and creative group projects.
Our mixed-age environment provided many opportunities for older children to support younger children, while everyone built new friendships, confidence and independence. It was wonderful to see our children solve problems creatively and proudly share their ideas and achievements with one another.
A big thank you to our OSHC educators for their dedication, flexibility and enthusiasm in creating such a welcoming and engaging environment, and to our families for their ongoing support. We look forward to another exciting term of learning, play and exploration at OSHC!
Open Days
Please share our upcoming Open Day dates with friends and others who may be interested, across both our Yultiwirra campus (Infant Program, Preschool and Primary) and our Wairoa campus (Middle School, Years 7–9).
Word of mouth from current families is one of the most valuable ways people discover our school. We thank you for helping spread the word.
If you would like to further explore the different learning cycles at our school, you are also warmly invited to attend one of our Open Days via the link provided.
Middle School
Wairoa Open Day
Take part in a group Principal’s tour of our Middle School (Years 7–9), gain insight into the Adolescent Program philosophy and curriculum, and hear directly from current student guides about life at the campus.
Wednesday 19th August
9:30am
400m up the driveway @ 142 Mt Barker Road, Stirling SA
For prospective families & families interested in exploring different learning cycles
Primary School
Yultiwirra Open Day
Join a guided group tour led by staff and parent guides, with opportunities to speak with the Principal and teachers, observe Montessori in action, and gain insight into the Infant Program, Preschool and Primary years.
Sunday 30th August
2:00pm
Meet us in the Hall @ 12 Anderson Rd, Aldgate SA
For prospective families & families interested in exploring different learning cycles
Community News
Stay Connected
Following us on social media is a great way to keep up with our school community events, activities and Montessori insights — and to share our stories with grandparents and friends.
“The unknown energy that can help humanity is that which lies hidden in the child.”